There’s no better time than the present to become a nurse. With the healthcare field continually growing, 2018 saw $3.7 trillion spent on healthcare goods and services.
If you’re thinking about becoming a nurse, then the thought of years of schooling might deter you. The good news is, you can become a nursing assistant in half the time!
This article will take a look at the nursing assistant education requirements. Read on and explore how you can get started in your dream role in no time!
Table of Contents
What Does a Nursing Assistant Do?
As a nursing assistant, you’ll help patients with different daily tasks. You can work in assisted living facilities, care homes, nursing homes, etc.
You might help patients with eating, repositioning patients who are bedridden, taking vital signs, etc. You’ll work underneath an RN or LPN (registered nurse, licensed practical nurse).
Responsibilities can include:
- Making beds
- Maintaining a safe and clean environment
- Follow all health and safety regulations
- Treat all patients and visitors with respect
- Help patients who have walkers, canes, or other devices
- Record patient conditions
- Record weight
Nursing Assistant Requirements
When you’re wondering how to become a nursing assistant, you’ll need to think about the different skills, certifications, and education. The nursing assistant education requirements can be done in as little as 2 months!
You can make a difference by having a high school diploma and then attending a nursing program for a few months. Some high schools might even offer the training necessary. You can find plenty of vocational schools and community colleges that have a nursing assistant school.
Certification
The nursing assistant school includes having you go to take an exam after schooling to earn the CNA requirements. While each state varies, most require you to take a written exam and register with the health department. Once you receive a passing grade and the registration process is complete, then you can use the CNA designation.
Courses
Becoming a nursing assistant includes taking courses in human physiology and medical procedures. You’ll learn to do different tasks such as feeding, grooming, and bathing.
Learning to take vital signs, monitor bedsores, and infections are common as well. Some students might also learn about nutrition, human anatomy, and physical therapy.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, most programs will require you to have a GED or high school diploma. Some schools might select those with healthcare experience over those without it. Along with a physical examination, you’ll need to take a background check as well.
The physical exam is in order to make sure that you can do heavy lifting, and don’t have any communicable diseases. Many programs will include drug testing as well.
As a nursing assistant, you’ll want to have certain personality traits such as being respectful, caring, and have good communication skills. You’ll also need to be dependable, and work well with others.
During your training, you’ll receive hands-on training as well. You can work in a long-term care facility, as a medical team member in a hospital, or in a clinic.
Once you complete schooling and become a CNA (certified nursing assistant), you might decide to pursue more schooling. You can go on to earn your associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, etc. This can allow you to further your career in nursing.
Training
Many nursing assistant schools will conduct an orientation program that’ll welcome you and introduce you to the role of a nursing assistant. You might receive experience working with a nursing assistant as they care for patients. You might also receive different classes and workshops for more training on risk management, health, and safety.
Skills Necessary
Since you’ll be working with patients, you’ll need to have certain skills to perform your job. First, organization skills are vital.
This is because you’ll be keeping track of the care they receive including medication. You might receive little to no supervision which makes it even more vital to stay organized.
Compassion is important since you’ll be caring for patients, and will want to show them empathy. Communication with the patient’s family and friends might also be a requirement as well. If they’re concerned about their loved one, you might find yourself reassuring and comforting them.
Attention to detail is important too since you’ll need to focus on their medication and diet. You might need to record information or follow a treatment plan.
Work Environments
You might find yourself in a hospital, or even in the patient’s home. Nursing assistants might work with multiple patients or only one.
Since patients need care at all hours, you might have the option to work full or part-time. This can include overnights or rotating shifts.
Some other tasks might include:
- Traveling by car
- Turning and lifting patients
- Walking and standing
- Stretching and bending
You might be the first who goes to help a patient after a fall. Being able to lift a patient is vital.
You might also be required to attend to them with respiratory therapy exercises.
In long-term care facilities, you might need to work with those in comas or who are paralyzed. You might be the primary caretaker for those with long-term conditions.
Exploring Nursing Assistant Education Requirements
Now that you’ve explored these nursing assistant education requirements, you should have a better idea if it’s right for you. You can get started today and become a nursing assistant fast!
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